Nestlé Nigeria Plc, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, has launched a National Water Quality Advocacy Handbook to improve water safety and public health across Nigeria.

The handbook was unveiled at the Annual Water Quality Conference in Abuja, marking a key step in efforts to address water contamination risks and promote safe water use nationwide.

Why it matters

Access to safe water remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, where water that appears clean may still contain harmful contaminants.

The handbook provides practical guidance for households, communities, policymakers, and industry players on how to identify risks, treat water, and ensure safe storage and handling.

It also emphasises the role of everyday behaviour in preventing waterborne diseases.

What the handbook offers

The guide translates complex water safety principles into simple, actionable steps.

It outlines how to:

Identify potential contamination risks

Apply household water treatment methods

Store water safely

Protect community water sources

It is designed to be used at both grassroots and policy levels, bridging the gap between technical knowledge and everyday practice.

Government: Awareness is key

Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, said public education is critical to improving water quality outcomes.

“Improving water quality outcomes in Nigeria requires sustained public awareness and education. Individuals and communities must be equipped with the knowledge to adopt safe practices and protect their health.”

He added that the handbook would help bring water safety knowledge directly to communities and promote responsible water use.

Nestlé: Extending water stewardship

Speaking on behalf of Nestlé Nigeria’s Managing Director, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Uwadoka, said the initiative reflects the company’s broader commitment to water safety.

“Water is fundamental to life, public health, and economic development… our commitment extends beyond our operations to protecting shared water resources and improving access to safe water for communities.”

She added that the handbook would help strengthen water quality standards and encourage safer practices among families.

Industry perspective: Coordinated action needed

National Coordinator of OPS-WASH, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, said improving water quality requires collaboration across sectors.

“This handbook helps strengthen awareness, support community education, and identify gaps that require technical and financial support.”

He stressed the importance of integrating policy, funding, and community engagement to achieve sustainable water and sanitation solutions.

What’s next

The handbook will be distributed both digitally and physically through government and community partners, including RUWASSA.

A nationwide grassroots sensitisation campaign is also planned to encourage adoption of safe water practices.

Stakeholders are urging Nigerians to download the handbook and share its guidance within their communities.

Impact on Nigerians

For households, the handbook offers practical steps to reduce health risks linked to unsafe water.

For policymakers and industry players, it provides a framework to strengthen water safety standards and improve access to clean water.

Experts say initiatives like this could play a significant role in reducing waterborne diseases and improving public health outcomes.

A new international study has revealed that adopting clean cooking energy in Nigeria can lower long-term household expenses while significantly improving public health.

The research, led by Professor Davies Adeloye of Teesside University, highlights how millions of Nigerians relying on firewood, charcoal, and kerosene face rising health and financial costs.

Conducted under the C2REST Nigeria Study, the three-year project examined the relationship between climate, air quality, and health across rapidly growing urban communities.

Researchers worked in Alimosho in Lagos State and Ado-Odo/Ota in Ogun State—areas reflecting the pressures of urbanisation, industrial growth, and mixed-income populations.

Why It Matters

Many Nigerian households still depend on traditional fuels, which contribute to indoor air pollution and increase the risk of respiratory diseases.

The study found that while cleaner energy sources like gas and electricity may cost more upfront, they reduce long-term expenses through:

Fewer illnesses

Lower healthcare spending

Increased productivity

“Clean cooking is one of the most practical and immediate ways to improve public health while supporting economic development.” — Professor Davies Adeloye

Health and Economic Impact

Indoor air pollution remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in densely populated urban and peri-urban communities.

The findings suggest that cleaner cooking solutions could:

Reduce pressure on Nigeria’s healthcare system

Improve quality of life for families

Boost national productivity

The study aligns with Nigeria’s broader climate and energy transition goals, offering a scalable solution to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

Inequality in Access

The research also highlights disparities in access to clean cooking.

Lower-income households and larger families are less likely to adopt cleaner energy due to:

High upfront costs

Limited infrastructure

Poor access to supply chains

This, researchers say, underscores the need for inclusive policies.

Expert Insight

The study calls for urgent government intervention, including:

Subsidies for clean energy

Improved fuel distribution systems

Integration of clean cooking into national health and climate strategies

It also emphasises collaboration between government, private sector players, and development partners.

The programme is a joint effort involving University of Lagos and international partners across Africa and Europe.

What’s Next

With Nigeria’s population continuing to grow, energy demand is expected to rise sharply.

Researchers say scaling clean cooking solutions could become one of the most cost-effective ways to tackle the country’s interconnected challenges—health, climate change, and economic development.

An eye specialist in Lagos, Festus Odunayo Osoba, says his decision to study journalism was driven by a desire to improve how doctors communicate health information to the public.

Dr Osoba, founder of LadKem Eye Hospital, shared his views during a visit by journalists from the Correspondents’ Chapel ahead of their planned 2026 Press Week.

He told the Correspondent’s Chapel delegate that while medicine treats illness, communication is essential to preventing disease.

“In all my research, what I found out is that even in developed countries we have doctors, nurses and hospitals, yet people are still not getting well,” he said.

“Health is behaviour. The only way you can change people’s behaviour is through communication.”

From medicine to journalism

Dr Osoba explained that his academic journey spans several disciplines, including medicine, public administration, public health and law.

But he said he realised that knowledge alone was not enough if people could not understand health messages.

To address this gap, he enrolled at the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, where he completed broadcast journalism training in 2018.

“Whether you are a professor or whatever, your degree is useless until you learn how to communicate,” he said.

“When doctors speak grammar to patients, many people cannot comprehend what it means.”

He added that journalists play a crucial role in translating complex information into language the public can understand.

Why journalism matters

Dr Osoba described journalism as a “noble profession” that keeps society informed and safe.

He said accurate information could guide people’s decisions during crises and help them avoid danger.

“Everybody needs information because information is life,” he said.

“Sometimes there are missiles raining everywhere and everyone says don’t go out. A journalist must put that information out.”

He also emphasised that journalists should not only report problems but also guide society toward better solutions.

“If somebody has done well in a particular area, you should say it,” he said.

“But you can also tell them how they can do it better.”

Improving health awareness

Dr Osoba said his long-term goal is to use journalism to simplify medical information and promote healthier lifestyles.

According to him, many illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and malaria could be better managed if people understood prevention.

“If we talk about malaria or hypertension, we must present it in a way people understand,” he said.

“When people change their lifestyle, they spend less on treatment and society becomes healthier.”

He added that the approach could reduce healthcare costs while improving public wellbeing.

Industry perspective

Media experts say health communication is becoming increasingly important as misinformation spreads online.

Public health campaigns often rely on journalists to translate technical data into clear stories for the public.

According to communication scholars, collaboration between doctors and journalists can improve health literacy and encourage preventive healthcare.

The importance of networks

Dr Osoba also stressed the importance of professional relationships in achieving social impact.

“Your network determines your net worth,” he said.

Why it matters

Health experts say poor communication between doctors and patients can lead to misunderstanding, delayed treatment and poor health outcomes.

By combining medicine with journalism, specialists like Dr Osoba believe they can bridge the gap between medical knowledge and public understanding.

He said his mission is simple.

“My motto is to be a happiness generator and a happiness distributor,” he said.

“I want a world where people understand their health and live better lives.”